Going Downhill

Cynthia Lopinto Then & Now Leave a comment 2,791 Views

By CYN LoPINTO
Editor-in-chief, gerontologist

Many of us have fond memories of taking out our sleds and toboggans and heading over to the favorite neighborhood spot for some winter fun. Maybe it was out behind your town’s community area or a hill somewhere down the block, but it was where all your friends showed up immediately after it snowed. You’d hear sounds of laughter from both adults and children, and every now and then, the scream from a minor sleigh-related crash. You would stay out there for hours riding over and over again as your hands and feet froze. It would take a large cup of steaming hot chocolate and lots of time in front of a heater or fireplace to thaw out before the next day’s outing.

While there are resorts and vacation spots that offer places to go sleigh riding today, many community areas that were once used for sledding now ban this activity. For example, according to US News, many Midwestern localities have banned sledding stemming from large lawsuits involving injuries. It is too expensive for local municipalities to risk this type of exposure. The Center for Disease Control reports that it is 15 times more likely for a child to visit the emergency room for a bicycle-related injury than a sledding injury, yet each year more and more U.S. towns are closing down community areas once used for sledding, tubing and tobogganing. These activities that generations of children have enjoyed for so many winters, are now being hijacked in the name of “safety.” It seems that just the threat of a lawsuit seems to outweigh the benefits of old fashion fun!

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Cynthia Lopinto

Cyn LoPinto, M.A. is a gerontologist focusing on significant issues affecting older adults and their families. Her areas of interest include lifestyle enrichment, family dynamics, and caregiver support. Cyn has worked in both the recreational and healthcare industries.